These five properties around the world offer guests truly distinctive experiences that make the journey worthwhile.
© Alexander Moling
eriro
Located in Ehrwald, Austria, this recently opened mountain retreat focuses on the restorative power of silence. The hotel’s minimalist design and carefully chosen materials encourage guests to reconnect with the surrounding alpine environment and embrace simplicity. A highlight of the spa is its innovative sound-therapy treatment: in a completely darkened room, guests listen to curated music while a slow-emerging screen and the resonant tones of two singing bowls accompany a nature film, creating an experience that echoes the earth’s natural frequencies.
© Forsthofgut Nature Hotel
Forsthofgut Nature Hotel
This family-oriented destination in Austria blends nature, adventure and thoughtful childcare. Children can meet and interact with farm animals on a purpose-built kids’ farm, while the waldSPA Family & Kids area provides dedicated facilities for every age: an adult indoor pool, separate pools tailored to different age groups, and three water slides for fun-packed family hours. Teenagers have their own Teen Center with table games and regular movie nights, and qualified childcare is available daily for children aged two and up, giving parents time to relax.
© Singita
Singita Pamushana Lodge
Set within the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe, this lodge offers more than classic safari drives. Guests can enjoy sundowner pontoon cruises across the reserve’s waterways, try their hand at fishing in the Malilangwe Dam and have the day’s catch prepared by the lodge’s chefs. For wildlife photographers and nature lovers, the Hwata photographic hide provides a discreet vantage point to capture animals up close without disturbing their routines, making for exceptional photographic opportunities.
© The Gainsborough Bath Hotel
The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Housed in two elegant 18th-century buildings in Bath, United Kingdom, The Gainsborough Bath Spa is unique in its direct access to the city’s natural thermal waters. The spa harnesses the mineral-rich, naturally heated water long associated with restorative benefits, offering a variety of therapies that make use of the thermal springs. Drawing on the historic tradition of communal bathing, the property’s one-hour Bath Circuit invites guests to move through three distinct pools in a thoughtfully paced ritual designed to relax the body and calm the mind.
© The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui
The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui
At this luxury resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, guests can explore a dedicated swim reef that supports an array of tropical marine life. Guided snorkeling experiences and scheduled fish-feeding sessions allow visitors to observe more than 50 fish species in their natural habitat within a safe, curated environment. The aquatic features are maintained year-round, providing consistent opportunities for families and marine enthusiasts to connect with underwater ecosystems.
These five properties demonstrate how thoughtful design, tailored programming and a strong sense of place can turn a stay into a memorable, one-of-a-kind experience.